Milanese designer Rodolfo Dordoni’s outdoor collection for Cassina.
Photo: Courtesy Cassina
14 Summer Design Must-Haves in Shades of Blue from Periwinkle to Cobalt
These linens, tableware, and furnishings all come in the season's most refreshing color
Summer often inspires people to give their home a seasonal refresh as heavy textiles, dark colors, and rich wood accents are packed away in favor of lighter linens, brighter shades, and tropical materials like rattan and wicker. However, infusing a space with warm-weather accessories doesn’t have to mean a total overhaul; instead, bringing in a few new pieces can completely transform an interior or exterior design. Popular this time of year are items in shades of blue—from the pastel color of the hydrangeas seen throughout the Hamptons to the vivid cobalt that dots resorts in Positano and Capri. Here, a look at some exciting ways to add a splash of summer to your decor.
Arper's Bardi's Bowl chair was originally conceived in 1951 by architect Lina Bo Bardi. Photo: Courtesy of Artmest
Based on a 1951 design by Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, Arper’s limited-edition Bardi Bowl chair complements both a modern interior and retro-chic space. The cuplike seat gently rests in a ring-shaped frame for both comfort and sophisticated style, while a variety of pillows (shown here in Shiny Nuance) allows for cool customization. $6,150, artemest.com
Pieces from Kim Seybert's Periwinkle collection. Photo: Courtesy of Kim Seybert
Kim Seybert has been creating jewelry for the table for more than two decades, and her latest offerings are equally dazzling. The new Periwinkle collection reworks popular styles, such as the artisanal round Capiz place mat, hand-painted watercolor napkin, and textured Starburst napkin ring in the moody, watery hue. $16–$95, neimanmarcus.com
Lalique's Hirondelle's medium vase in sapphire blue. Photo: Courtesy of Lalique
Introducing flora and fauna motifs in new collections like the recent Botanica, Lalique continues to reimagine the classic designs of founder René Lalique. Released in celebration of the atelier’s 130th anniversary, Hirondelles gave new life to the popular swallow, rendered here in a sapphire-colored crystal vase that would make a breathtaking base for a cluster of similarly globe-shaped hydrangea blooms. $3,200, lalique.com
Lison de Caunes Terry table set. Photo: © Lucas Matichard, Courtesy of Lison de Caunes
Revered for its meticulous marquetry and collaborations with global design talents like Vincent Darré and Peter Marino, Atelier Lison de Caunes offers the same attention to detail in its array of home decorative items. Its Terry sets de table straw marquetry place mats can be customized in a variety of colorways. lisondecaunes.com
Cassina's Sail Out pouf by Rodolfo Dordoni. Photo: Courtesy of Cassina
Milanese designer Rodolfo Dordoni’s outdoor collection for Cassina includes the modular Sail Out sofa, which is customizable to any poolside terrace. The most whimsical of the array is this round pouf, available in two sizes, designed specifically to accommodate fresh-from-a-swim sunseekers with an elevated center cushion perfect for balancing a tray of tropical cocktails. cassina.com
Ralph Lauren X Burleigh Northern Star platter in Indigo. Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home
In a new collaboration with longstanding U.K. company Burleigh, Ralph Lauren Home’s latest tabletop collection features traditional British patterns like garden vines and lush florals, as well as decided American prints like stars and anchors. On the Northern Star platter, a richly detailed clipper ship sails off into a starry indigo sky. $125, ralphlauren.com
The Poseidon collection from Yves Delorme Couture. Photo: Courtesy of Yves Delorme Couture
For 175 years, Yves Delorme has been crafting the finest French textiles, but it was just four years ago that the atelier expanded to introduce a couture collection. The even more rarefied selection of its exquisite array of bedding is available in just one new pattern each season. Perfectly suited for a summer home is Poseidon, a 100 percent cotton sateen set that captures the ocean blues and greens of Hokusai’s famed woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, in hand embroidery that takes approximately 270 hours to produce. yvesdelormecouture.com
Frances Palmer slipware pitcher. Photo: Courtesy of Moda Operandi
Trained art historian and ceramist Frances Palmer’s handcrafted pottery ranges from richly textured vases and urns to plates, platters, and pitchers. Offered traditionally in shades of white and cream, this slipware pitcher comes with a layer of marblelike blue paint for a functional work of art. $675, modaoperandi.com
Dominick Leuci's Eques Aurora (Borealis), 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Todd Merrill Studio, NYC
Artist Dominick Leuci’s sculptural Eques lighting series appears to capture a cluster of Mylar balloons in midflight. However, these illuminated metal forms, available in a rainbow of colors like the watery shades of Eques Aurora (Borealis), are inspired by the leaf-shaped protrusions of the sea dragon that weightlessly dances in the ocean current. toddmerrillstudio.com
Atelier Houria Tazi embroidered coasters. Photo: Courtesy of Moda Operandi
Adding an explosion of color to any tablescape, these Atelier Houria Tazi coasters are painted and embroidered on the finest Moroccan linen. As eye-catching as Marrakech’s famed tiles, these bright accessories would complement a table set with crisp white dinnerware and on-trend gold cutlery. $200, modaoperandi.com
Pinto Paris Lagon dinner plate. Photo: Courtesy of Sabrina Monte-Carlo
Pinto Paris Lagon dinner plate. Photo: Courtesy of Sabrina Monte-Carlo
Perfect for a Palm Beach table or a meal alfresco in Monaco are these whimsical Lagon dinner plates from Pinto Paris. Shown in a fish or coral print, they capture the elegance and artistry of the late Alberto Pinto as well as the joie de vivre of home entertaining. Mix and match for a truly spirited dinner party! $123–$130, sabrinamontecarlo.com
Sferra's Floreale throw in navy. Photo: Courtesy of Sferra
Sferra's Bosa throw in aquamarine. Photo: Courtesy of Sferra
Hot summer days often drift into cool evenings, and the most luxurious way to beat the night chill is to wrap up in a cozy throw. The Floreale blanket from Sferra is a sumptuous blend of lambswool and silk with a floral pattern in regal shades of navy and midnight, while the light-as-air Bosa bed scarf is the epitome of beach style, with its aquamarine ombré, which echoes the place where water meets sky. $419–$485, sferra.com
Murad plates from Tamam. Photo: Courtesy of Tamam
Clare Louise Frost, Elizabeth Hewitt, and Huseyin Kaplan’s East Village jewel-box boutique Tamam is overflowing with treasures discovered in Turkey’s Grand Bazaar and other markets around Istanbul and beyond. Among the richly embroidered textiles, vintage jewelry, and geometric rugs is Tamam’s first tabletop collection, Murad, which includes this striking turquoise design that’s a modern take on 17th-century Ottoman-Iznik çintamani ceramics. $45-$75, shop-tamam.com
Annie Selke ikat woven French blue napkin. Photo: Courtesy of Annie Selke
Annie Selke ikat woven indigo napkin. Photo: Courtesy of Annie Selke
Ikat is a pattern that will never fall out of vogue, and recent textile releases are embracing the spirited style for drapery, upholstery, and, of course, tabletop. Among Annie Selke’s newest products are a series of ikat place mats, poufs, summery totes, and these delightful napkins, available in cool shades of French blue and navy as well as a vibrant coral and neutral platinum. $40, annieselke.com
Cover: Milanese designer Rodolfo Dordoni’s outdoor collection for Cassina.
Photo: Courtesy Cassina
